Buying in Georgia
Buying in Georgia
Quick answer
Georgia does a few things differently from other states when you buy a home, and some of them are law, not local habit. One is the closing: in 2003 the Georgia Supreme Court agreed that only a licensed Georgia attorney may prepare or facilitate the execution of a deed of conveyance. These pages take the differences one question at a time.
Georgia does a few things differently from other states, and some of them are not local habits or preferences. They are law. These pages cover the parts of buying here that work differently, one question at a time. If something you expected to find is not here, ask me. I will either answer it or write the page.
What is different about buying a home in Georgia?
One difference is who handles the closing. In 2003 the Georgia Supreme Court agreed that only a licensed Georgia attorney may prepare or facilitate the execution of a deed of conveyance, in In re UPL Advisory Opinion 2003-2 (opens in a new tab), decided November 10, 2003. The court noted one narrow exception, for a non-lawyer handling a transaction they are themselves a party to. That is law, not a local habit or a preference.
Guides in This Section
Frequently asked questions
Does an attorney have to handle a home closing in Georgia?
Yes, with one narrow exception. In 2003 the Georgia Supreme Court agreed (opens in a new tab) that only a licensed Georgia attorney may prepare or facilitate the execution of a deed of conveyance, and noted that a non-lawyer may handle a transaction they are themselves a party to.
Is the Georgia closing attorney rule a custom or a law?
It is law. It comes from the Georgia Supreme Court's opinion in In re UPL Advisory Opinion 2003-2 (opens in a new tab), decided November 10, 2003, not from local habit or preference.
Which parts of buying in Georgia do these pages cover so far?
One so far: why a licensed Georgia attorney handles the closing. If something you expected to find is not here, ask me, and I will either answer it or write the page.
Scotty Parrish
Questions about this property or this market? I answer these directly.
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